Her Children Stand and Bless Her...Prov31:28

My mom is THE most amazing woman I have ever known. She is truly a modern-day saint to me. You know the scripture that describes true religon as taking care of widows and orphans ,she currently has both living under her roof right now as well as my beloved vietnam vet Uncle Jimmy. These are her family members and so some might say what's so amazing about that?? Well, I will tell you . She is going to be 60 in November and I am not being generous when I say that she does more for Christ on a daily basis than I might in a year. God has given her a true heart of mercy and truly has used her to be an instrument of His love to countless others who have had no home and no where else to look. The widow, my beautiful italian gramma who has alzhemiers is in constant need of care. 24/7 my mom is changing her, feeding her,bathing her, reading to her...everything. My mom has hard days as all human beings do but when all is said and done she truly feels honored to be the one who gets the privledge of serving my gramma in her last days and she treasures every moment. The orphan(no longer) is my 13 year old brother who my parents have had as a foster child since the day he was born and officially adopted when he was 3. He is a typical teenager in many ways in that he has lots of energy and lots of pressing social engagements that require a taxi cab. Thankfully, he is one of sweetest spirits I have known and is helpful to my mom on many occasions but, still very much a young boy. My uncle well....lets just say he would fit in perfect with my nieghbors down the street!! My dad is working hard at Albertson's to keep all those in the house fed and in a house.

Ok that's just her living situation. Now, my mom is of the firm belief that Jesus really meant it when he said "love your neighbors" cause she has got some neighbors that are starving for that love and they always seem to know that they can get it at Ellen's and it served up just right.
Her neighbors baffle me. She has always seemed to have neighbors that are strategically placed on her block that are the most needy of all people on the face of the EARTH!! She has learned over the years some boundaries and that it is not her job to save the WHOLE world, BUT all the same it amazes me how much she notices the needs, and then meets them. Amazing!!
She is not sugar-coated in her delivery of love and kindness. She is real and they know that they will always get sincerety with her good or bad.

Yesterday, I had a full day. A day that was so full of DOING and loving people that I had to laugh. I thought this is an Ellen kinda day. I decided to share my day with my mom cause I knew she would relate and again she has taught me yet another lesson at 30 years of age. She said, "Noel you weren't doing what I do, you were doing what Jesus would do" and then of course she chimed in with her Boston accent and said "Don't those people know you have fourwa childrwen of yourwa own" LOL . Truly, I love her with all my heart and today "I stand and bless her " for the example she has been and continues to be.